Mosaic in Western Iowa | 2016 Fall

the mosaic minute fall 2016

a publication of Mosaic in Western Iowa | www.mosaicinwesterniowa.org

Meaningful Life BAPTISM CEREMONY by Kara Wesely One of things that can make life meaningful is the ability to choose and practice our faith. Crystal was able to do just that this past spring.

“Crystal continues to be an active parishioner at Grace Community Fellowship.”

After attending services at Grace Community Fellowship Church in Missouri Valley, Crystal decided that she wanted to be baptized. Mosaic direct support professionals were

happy to help Crystal make arrangements for the baptism.

Crystal participated in the baptismal ceremony and was fully submerged in the baptismal font. Afterwards, she celebrated with friends and cake.

“I feel much better after being baptized.

It means a lot knowing God is in my life,” said Crystal.

Crystal continues to be an active parishioner at Grace Community Fellowship and is thrilled to participate in worship.

Crystal professes her faith.

Crystal emerges from the baptismal font.

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Mosaic At Home OUR COMMON LANGUAGE by Jim Poehlman Mosaic is a large organization providing services in 36 agencies across ten different states.

We stretch as far east as Connecticut and Jim Poehlman as far west as Executive Director Mosaic in Western Arizona. Tanzania Iowa Mosaic employs more than 5,000 people across the country and we support nearly 3,700 people with intellectual disabilities.

We also work with the international partners in Tanzania and Romania to provide services and support for people with intellectual disabilities around the world.

Can you imagine the complexities of operating an organization where the regulations you must follow could be interpreted so many different ways?

This is the challenge that Mosaic faces every day. Because of this, Mosaic knows that it must have a common language that every employee, from our newest person to our seasoned veterans, can speak and understand. For Mosaic, this common language is our Mission, our Vision, and our Values.

Our Mission is “Embracing God’s call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life.”

Our Mission is what we do. It’s why we exist. When we “Embrace God’s call to serve in the world” we understand that

we are truly considerate of the enormity of the work we do at Mosaic and we accept our individual responsibility to move our Mission forward.

Mosaic’s core values are Respect, Integrity, Connection, and Safety.

These values are the promises we make about our service to others. They are how we do business at Mosaic. The common language of our core values direct every employee of the organization to be respectful in words and actions to every individual associated with organization to include work colleagues and supervisors, the people we support and their family members, case managers, regulatory oversight, and all stakeholders. We will operate as an organization with integrity as evidenced through our actions of always doing the right thing even when doing the wrong thing would be easier. We will foster and nurture significant connections for those we support to help them live the most meaningful life that they want and we will build partnerships with family members and the community to help move our mission forward. Finally, we will operate with the safety of every individual associated with the organization in mind at all times.

Our vision reads “Mosaic is the recognized leader in making a positive difference in people’s lives. We are passionate about the services and partnerships that create meaningful lives in caring communities. Inspired

The Mosaic Minute is published by Mosaic in Western Iowa | 1413 W. Broadway Council Bluffs, IA 51501 | 712.328.3957 | www.mosaicinwesterniowa.org Executive Director Public Relations Specialist & Editor

jim.poehlman@mosaicinfo.org kara.wesley@mosaicinfo.org

Mission Embracing God’s call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life.

Integrity at Mosaic If you have a concern, call our national Confidential Reporting Hotline at 800.443.4899, or email integrity@mosaicinfo.org

by faith, we give voice to issues that affect people’s lives.” The vision is a direct correlation of our Mission and our Values and it is only through our common language that we can achieve this vision.

At Mosaic, our faith is why we serve.

We are called to love and serve our neighbor. Why we serve has not changed in the 103 years we have been in existence. How we serve has evolved numerous times as our field has changed and the expectations of those we serve (people with disabilities and their families) has changed.

Over the next few pages you will read stories of how our common language brings mission, vision and values to life, through the work of employees, friends and the individuals we support.

I hope you enjoy it, Jim Poehlman, Executive Director

Upcoming Events Partners in Possibilities Fundraising Breakfast Wednesday, November 16 | 7:30 a.m.

Boulders Conference Center 2507 Boulders Drive, Denison, IA For more information or to let us know you’ll attend, contact Jennifer Unruh at Jennifer.unruh@mosaicinfo.org or 712.644.2234

Relationships Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America.

Non-discrimination Mosaic will not discriminate in matters of employment or service delivery on the basis of race, creed, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status.

To be added or removed from the mailing list or to receive information via email, please contact Mosaic at the address given. ©2016 Mosaic. All rights reserved. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

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Giving a Voice OVERCOMING DEPRESSION by Guest Columnist Rachael Vacanti Mosaic has been fortunate enough to partner with the University of Nebraska Omaha’s College of Communications on various projects since 2014. It was through that partnership that we met Rachael Vacanti. Rachael was inspired

by Mosaic’s mission and looking for an opportunity to put her skills to use for our organization. Mosaic, in turn, was inspired by the resolve and courage Rachael displayed as a student living with mental illness and blindness.

Though faced with numerous struggles, Rachael remained steadfast in her determination to graduate from UNO and move on to graduate school. She was gracious enough to share her story. Mosaic is proud to provide Rachael with a platform to share about living with mental illness and honored to give her a voice. Her unwavering candor and optimism serve as just one example of how recovery from mental illness is possible.

Have you ever known something that you know is true and happening, but no matter what you do, you just can’t

Planned Giving Information Session

find the right words to describe it?

Mental illness is a lot like that. It’s like there’s something going on in your head, and you know there is, but you shut up about it because the fear that people will judge you, tell you you’re faking it or even worse, tell you to just snap out of it.

I grew up in your typical middle-class American household — mom, dad, two kids and the cats. I was born early which provided challenges, mainly blindness, but my parents treated me no differently than my brother. I was raised on the values of hard work, dedication and respect. Admittedly, there were times where I had to fight for my rights, but it comes with the territory of being different.

My first signs of severe depression and suicidal thought was at the age of 18, while I was living in Colorado during my first semester of college. I remember having sleepless nights; calling my best friend at 3:00 a.m.; being snippy about the stupidest things and hiding or avoiding people. It was then I learned depression runs in our family.

Depression doesn’t always strike when you are having a tough time or in an

Depression and anxiety are tough to fight. It’s a constant battle in your head.

It helps if you’re honest. Don’t try and fool the therapists. I can fake a smile like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

However, I’ve also learned that there are some incredible people who have depression and anxiety and you’d never know. It’s possible to live a normal life. You are worthy of living and people care; professors, friends, colleagues. They want you to be successful. Through admitting that I needed help, I was able to save my first semester from tanking and essentially my entire college career. I’ve been able to learn about myself; my hopes, my dreams, my fears. I think I am slowly coming to the realization that this whole entire thing is a huge blessing in disguise.

Have you included Mosaic in your estate planning?

Mosaic donors, family members and friends are invited to a complimentary planned giving information session provided by Dan Dittman, attorney at Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C. and Planned Giving Counsel for Mosaic.

This information-only session will cover: • Estate Plans • Living Wills • Special Needs Trusts • Powers of Attorney • Health Care Proxy

unfamiliar environment or pushed beyond your comfort zone. Sometimes it hits you when you’re out with friends right after a show and you’re celebrating. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, you get the urge to either run away, try and overdose on drugs or just start feeling numb. True story, it’s happened at least twice to me.

Dan Dittman

To host a Planned Giving Information session, contact Jennifer Unruh, Community Relations Manager, at 712.644.2234 x61108 or jennifer.unruh@mosaicinfo.org.

Mosaic in Denison | 1527 4th Ave. South | Denison, IA 51442-2023 712.263.3032 | www.mosaicinwesterniowa.org

There are ways to increase your income now or in the future and save money on taxes.

Contact Jaime Corsar at 877.366.7242 or jaime.corsar@mosaicinfo.org to discuss how planned giving can help you.

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1413 W. Broadway Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Helping Caring Community PARTNERS IN POSSIBILITIES by Kara Wesely After attending a Discover the Possibilities lunch, Lynn VanBibber knew she wanted to get involved with Mosaic, but she just wasn’t sure how.

and then decided to volunteer with the people Mosaic serves.

“At first, I volunteered with small groups. We would play games or do activities together. Then I was introduced to Jamie and started spending time with her one on one,” said Lynn.

The pair didn’t take long to become good friends.

“I love hanging out with Lynn. She is a good friend,” said Jamie.

Lynn and Jamie

Initially, Lynn acted as an ambassador for Mosaic. She invited colleagues and friends to learn more about Mosaic

Lynn and Jamie get out and about in Council Bluffs about once a week and truly look forward to their time together.

A shared sense of humor is just one of the things the two have in common “We go shopping or get lunch. We like

to sit in the park and chat. And, no matter what we’re doing, we laugh a lot,” said Lynn.

Along with the laughter, there has been a lot of learning.

“Jamie has taught me a lot. Mental illness was very unfamiliar to me before. I feel like I have come to understand and appreciate her struggles,” said Lynn.

To learn more about volunteering with Mosaic in the Logan or Denison areas contact Jennifer Unruh at Jennifer. unruh@mosaicinfo.org.

To learn more about volunteering with Mosaic in the Council Bluffs area contact Kara Wesely at kara.wesely@ mosaicinfo.org.

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